Hearing this Krishna was pleased and said "Go but do not delay; for without you, we shall not be able to wait here" (47).
Thereupon sinking into the lake of Yamunā the liberal prince saw the region of Nāgas in Rasātala like unto this world (48). He saw there the thousand-headed Deity Ananta having a golden ball for his insignia. In his hand was a plough-share and by his belly was a mace (49). He was of yellow hue and was seated on a yellow seat. He was clad in a dark-blue raiment and on his ear was shining a Kundala resembling the bud of a lotus. And his lotus-like eye-lids were closed (50). That serpent was embellished with two Swastikas[259] and he was seated at ease on a beautiful white seat made by his own body (51). His breast was adorned with a garland of golden lotuses and his head was decked with a golden tiara bent a little towards left (52). The body, resembling a white cloud of that large-armed king of serpents the slayer of his enemies, was besmeared with crimson-colour ed sandal and adorned with lotus garlands. The four quarters were filled with the lustre (of his person) (53). Vasuki and other leading serpents were worshipping their only king, the powerful Sesha, master of one all spreading ocean (54). The two Nāgas, Kamvala and Ashwatara, by name, were fanning with chowries that king of Nāgas, seated on a throne of righteousness (55). The Pannaga king Vāsuki, encircled by his serpent ministers, headed by Karkotaka, was shining near him (56). With celestial and golden jars covered with lotuses other leading Nagas were sprinkling that king already bathed in one sheet of water (57). He saw there the dark blue hued Vishnu[260] clad in a yellow raiment and bearing the mystic mark of Srivatsa, seated at ease on the lap of that king of serpents (58). Another powerful celestial form, resembling Sankarshana, gifted with the beauty of the moon, was seated there without any seat (59). That giver of presents was about to address a few words to Krishna there but his power of speech was suppressed by his (Krishna's) prowess (60).
Beholding such eternal and divine prosperity in the serpents that giver of liberal presents was filled with surprise. And coming to the bank from the water he saw Rama and Krishna of wonderful forms seated on the car and looking towards each other (61-62). Seeing this Akrura, again out of curiosity, plunged into the lake and saw that the king of gods, Ananta, having a white face and clad in a blue raiment, was being worshipped as before; and that the powerful Krishna too was seated on the lap of that thousand-headed king of serpents and being worshipped as before (63–64). Then again coming out all on a sudden and reciting in his mind that mantra he went to the car by the same way by which he had come (65). Thereupon Krishna delightedly said to Akrura who was before him:—"What did you see of the Nāga region situate in this Bhagavat lake? I think you have seen something wonderful for you waited for a long time in the lake and your mind too has been agitated (66-67)."
Hearing the words of Krishna Akrura replied:—"O Krishna, what wonder is there in the entire world, mobile and immobile, which can be accomplished without thee (68)? The wonder which I saw there, although rare on earth, I am seeing here and enjoying delight. O Krishna, I am united with the wonder incarnate in the world and therefore do not like to see a greater wonder than this. O lord, let us go to the city of king Kansa before the sun sets (69–71)."
| [259] | A kind of mystical figure the inscription of which on any person or thing is generally considered to be lucky. The Sesha Naga was the couch of Vishnu on whose thousand hoods he lay asleep. |
| [260] | The Vaishnava writers have variously interpreted this incident. According to them the anecdote is that when Vasudeva was carrying Krishna he slipped off his hand and fell into the water. He however at once picked up the boy. But this time Krishna did not come but Vishnu in Krishna form. When Akrura went to bathe in the Yamuna Krishna came out and went to Mathura while Vishnu lived in Gokula. |
CHAPTER LXXXII. KRISHNA'S ARRIVAL.
Vaishampayana said:—Thereupon yoking (the horses to the) car and ascending thereon the liberal giver Akrura set out with Krishna and Sangkarshana and reached the charming city of Mathurā protected by Kansa. And before evening when the sun was in its crimson colour he entered that beautiful city (1-2).
Taking the heroic Krishna and Sangkarshana of beautiful colour first to his own house the intelligent giver of liberal presents, effulgent like the sun, said to them:—
"O sire, for the present you are to relinquish the desire of going to Vasudeva's house (3-4). For you, your old father is being day and night chiden by Kansa. So you should not wait here long (5). You should do such a good and pleasant work on his behalf that your father may attain to happiness (6)."